- Thus, of the two nets in
which it has enveloped all human activity, one is rent asunder and the
other has slackened its meshes. There is no longer any reason for
making the community omnipotent; the individual need not alienate
himself entirely; he may, without inconvenience, reserve to himself a
part of himself, and, if now called upon to sign a social contract,
you may be sure that he would make this reservation.
II
Changed minds. - Conscience and its Christian origin. - Honor and
its feudal origin. - The individual of to-day refuses to surrender
himself entirely. - His motives. - Additional motives in modern
democracy. - Character of the elective process and the quality of the
representative.
And so have not only outward circumstances changed, but the very human
attitudes are now different. In the mind of modern man a feeling,
distasteful to the antique pact, has evolved. - Undoubtedly, in
extreme cases and under the pressure of brutal necessity I may,
momentarily, sign a blank check. But, never, if I understand what I
am doing, will I sign away in good faith the complete and permanent
abandonment of myself: it would be against conscience and against
honor, which two possessions are not to be alienated.
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